Not all weeds are ugly—some can be quite beautiful while still causing problems for farmers, gardeners, and native plants. Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is one of these—the lush foliage and beautiful white-pink flowers belie the many problems it can cause as an invasive plant or garden weed. Bindweed is a growing problem in many parts of Europe and North America, and while it may not be an issue in your garden it’s wise to stay informed and ahead of the issue so you can deal with it as quickly as possible. So let’s dig in and learn all about preventing and removing bindweed!
What is Bindweed?
A vining plant with pretty trumpet-shaped flowers, bindweed bears a resemblance to morning glory or the Ipomea family. While all of those plants are members of the Convolvulaceae family, they grow quite differently and have a different effect on the landscape and environment around them. Many Convolvulaceae are welcome plants and natives; others—collectively referred to as bindweeds—are invasive vines. Convolvulus arvensis is the most common of these in North America. “Convolvare” is Latin for “to wind” and is the root of the word “convoluted”. Bindweeds create thick, dense mats of vines and are often colloquially referred to as “Devil’s Guts” due to their massed vines and difficult removal. A native of central and west Asia, bindweed can put out roots up to 20 feet/18 meters deep into the soil. Having evolved to thrive in challenging environments, bindweed roots can regrow an entire plant from even the smallest piece left behind after weeding.
Bindweed has been present in the Americas since the mid 18th century; it likely came over with imported European seeds or livestock. It’s also been a problem for North American farmers and gardeners since the 18th century. This has led to a great deal of lore and legend around the plant, some of which is accurate and much of which is myth.
Keeping Bindweed Out of Your Garden
As always, prevention is better than cure. With bindweed this is doubly true—once the roots are established removal can be quite difficult! Bindweed spreads in several ways, which means gardeners, farmers, and landscapers need to be vigilant and follow good prevention procedures:
· Examine new plants closely before installing them in your landscape, lawn, or garden. It’s not uncommon for new plants to come with weeds or other seedlings growing out of their soil. If you see these it’s best to remove them unless you’re 100% sure of their identity and you want that particular plant in your garden space. When in doubt, throw it out!
· If you end up buying soil or compost from a supplier, garden center or other source, give it a similar check for unwanted guests. Buy from reputable, high quality sources and as with new plants remove all weeds and seeds quickly.
· Keep an eye out for bindweed seeds. They’re about 1/6th of an inch/4 mm long and a beige-brown color. If you see them, remove them, isolate them, and contact your local extension office for a positive ID and guidance as to what to do next.
Removing and Controlling Bindweed
Bindweed is best prevented because bindweed is legendarily difficult to remove and control. Once established it tends to stick around due to its deep, self-replicating roots and prolific vining and seeding. There are some working strategies for removing and controlling bindweed, but they require consistent effort and constant vigilance.
· Manual removal is a reliable option for bindweed. If the above ground vines and shoots are removed as soon as they start to emerge, eventually the underground root/rhizome structure will die. This can take years of consistent effort but it does work in many cases. Dispose of bindweed cuttings in the trash or by burning—do not compost bindweed!
· Herbicides, particularly pre-emergents that transfer from the foliage to the roots can be effective. They are best applied in spring and fall, and we recommend contacting your local extension office or garden supply store for specific advice about products that work best in your location. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions in order to keep yourself and your other plants safe! Repeated applications are often necessary to ensure efficacy.
· As with manually removing the vines and shoots, manual removal of bindweed roots can help speed removal. Use a garden fork, not a tiller, and dig deep to get as much of the root as possible—a segment as small as 2 inches/5 cm can regrow into a full plant. As with herbicides and stem/vine removal, you may have to dig out the root several times in order to get all of it. The process can take several seasons in a row, so be patient and keep at it!
Weeds, Invasives, and “Bad Plants”
Here at Gardzen we remain firm in our conviction that there are no “bad plants” but rather plants that grow in the wrong place or where we humans don’t want them. Bindweed is one such plant—perfectly fine in its native environment but a pernicious invasive elsewhere. With careful effort at prevention, we can all help keep bindweed from spreading. We hope this blog has helped you learn a bit more about bindweed and how to prevent, remove, and control it. We’re especially interested in hearing from anyone with direct experience dealing with this plant, so please reach out if you’ve had to remove it from your garden space.
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